Comments/Ratings for a Single Item

The game seems very interesting. It is not difficult a ZRF, but I would
need some days to begin it, and one or two weeks to have it finished, but
it is possible that other people can try it before. I have some doubts
about the lenght of a typical game. Extense, perhaps?, I´m not sure
without some tests.

Roberto:  Thank you for your kind offer to make the ZRF, but it won't be
necessary; I'll make one in the next few days ...  As you point out, it
shouldn't be too hard to make.  The only thing I'm not sure about (off
the top of my head) is how to handle the alternate victory condition.

I also wonder about the length of a typical game.  I added the alternate
victory condition in hopes of keeping the game short, but
it still might be a problem.  Definitely needs testing ...

If anyone wants to try a game, I have already made a Game Courier preset;
let me know and I'll send an invitation.

Thanks,
Greg

There are 21 possibilities to put 5 pieces in seven spaces, and so many
victory conditions that can be stablished in the ZRF for this alternative
way of winning, but I´m going to think on a more ellegant code, if it can
be done in other way.

The game looks quite interesting.
A couple of remarks:
The Bishop is weaker than the Knight even on the 49-square center (a
Bishop cannot slide more than six squares in any direction, and a Knight
isn't at all hampered by the limits of the board). A Chancellor is also
much stronger than a Queen. Maybe the Terrain should be a bit more
Bishop-friendly, but I don't really see how.
The Serpent is a very nice piece, and I would suggest to disallow the
capture of a Serpent by a Serpent to keep them longer into play.

Thanks, Antoine.  I like the Serpent-Serpent capture restriction, and think
it's almost certainly an improvement, so I've added this rule.  I must
disagree, however, that the Bishop is not stronger in the 49-square
center.  In this region, the Bishop's average mobility is 8.1 where the
Knight's is 7.5.  When considering the entire board, the Bishop is 5.54,
compaired to 5.71 for the Knight.  The Knight is probably a little bit
better, but not by much.  When I submit this game, I will include my
spreadsheets with the mobility data...

Thanks again!

Greg, I´m not sure if it is a picture identifyng the characters in the
Courier preset, and a brief description of the game and pieces, but it
should be good to have it as help through the first moves, until the
player is better familiarized with all. I´m tempted to accept the
invitation, but I need a brief help as guide during the first moves.

I like too disallow the capture of one Alligator by the other (Serpent?.
Would you reconsider the name of the piece?)

Yes, I have changed the rule so that one Serpent cannot capture another.  I
was going to name the piece Alligator or Crocodile, but then I decided not
to because those animals can walk on land; this piece cannot.  Of course,
that may not be an important distinction.  In any event, I will need to
make some new icons soon.  I'm also using a Lion icon in place of the
Druid.  I don't want to name the piece 'Lion', though, because there
are already several different pieces in different games with that name.

I will write up a help file to appear at the bottom of the Game Courier
page, but I cannot post it (at least I don't think so.)  I will have to
e-mail it in to an administrator, and get them to save it...  But I will
send it out shortly.

Thanks!

This is now the closest thing to a rules page on the web.

Andy Maxson has posted an invitation to play 'Chess with Terrain'.  But
this game requires a complete set of rules.  Greg Strong?  Anybody?

Oh, sorry, yes I have a complete list of the rules ...  It was a webpage
that came down with my old website.  I'll get it up again shortly, and
give you a link.

NOTE:  I consider this game to be flawed in that the board is too big.  A
well-played game would take, I estimate, about 250 moves.  Be aware of
this before accepting.

NOTE 2:  I worked on an improved version on a smaller board.  If there is
interest, I can get back to finishing that up, and you can play that
version instead.

- Sam